The Stiltner Family Web Site, Consumer Information Page

The Stiltner Family Genealogy

Consumer Issues Page

Resources for Handling Identity Theft

Identity Theft or Identity Take Over Fraud is a modern reality that hits some 500,000 Americans every year - that is some 1,400 people every day! Everyone of us must become more aware of how to safeguard our name and credit records with the use of personal identifiers.

This is becoming a serious problem that affects us in many areas of our lives, such as bank fraud, credit card fraud, fraudulent loans, government documents or loans, and unauthorized utility or telephone service charges.

Some personal actions you can take include the following -

Get a yearly copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting companies. See the Credit Bureau Reports page for current addresses.
Do not give out personal information over the telephone or any Internet connection without getting a clear statement of how it is going to be used. In particular, note that most web sites have a (often obscure) link to their policy in this area.
Keep track of all uses of your social security number.
Destroy (shred or obliterate your name and identification) any unauthorized credit card applications you get in the mail.

There is a federal law, "Theft Assumption Deterrance Act" (http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/fedlaw.htm) was passed in 1998 that gives you recourse if your identity is misused.

For some pointers on what you can do to minimize being targeted and what you can do if you are victimized, check the following links -

Federal Trade Commission,
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20580
Tel: 877/382-4357.
Tel: 877/ID-THEFT.
Web: Federal Trade Commission, Id Theft Page; http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/.

For law enforcement assistance, contact any or all of the following -

U. S. Postal Inspection Service
U. S. Secret Service
Local Police

Per the numbers in the local telephone book.

Further information is available from the Americans for the Advancement of Retired Persons (AARP) -

Web: Identity theft; http://www.aarp.org/confacts/money/idfyi.html.

Another group with useful information in this area is -

Privacy Rights Clearing House
1017 Kettner Avenue; #105
San Diego, California
92101
Web: Privacy Rights Clearing House; http://www.privacyrights.org/.

For a step by step commercial guide on how to regain a correct credit record after an identity theft -

"From Victim to Victor"
By Mari J. Frank
Porpoise Press; 1998
Web: "From Victim to Victor"; http://www.identitytheft.org/ .

Also see the following pages for more background in this area -

Charity Solicitations Resources
Credit Bureau Issues
Credit Bureau Reports
FTC Scams Guidelines
Hoaxes Resources
Junk Mail
Medical Privacy Protection Resources
Medicare Refund Scam
Reference Resources
Resources for Handling Internet Purchases
Unclaimed Property Database

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This web site and the information in it, is brought to you in the spirit of freedom of information and as a public service in support of the Stiltner Family geneology.
Be assured that the listing of these links does not imply endorsement of any of these sites.
URL of this page: http://www.stiltner.org/'CONSIDNT.HTM' Copyright ©2000 E. Stiltner.